On September 19th, Pow Wow Pitch, North America’s premier pitch competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Mastercard, announced three Alumni Choice Prize Winners:

• Ramona Emerson, the Diné Co-Founder of Reel Indian Pictures from Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA).
• Sharon Marshall, the Cree and Métis Founder of Digital DEVA from Lantzville, British Columbia.
• Ashley Michel, the Secwepemc Founder of 4 Generations Creations from Kamloops, British Columbia. 

The Pow Wow Pitch Alumni Prize is presented in partnership with Mastercard to foster a culture of giving back, mentorship, community support and empowerment across the Indigenous entrepreneur community. Pow Wow Pitch Alumni select up to three Semi-Finalists who they believe have the potential to win Pow Wow Pitch to advance to the Finals. Each entrepreneur has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Finals for a chance to win $25,000 to grow their businesses.

More than 2,000 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Canada and the United States applied to Pow Wow Pitch this year for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals. From the 2,000 applicants, 130 were selected as Semi-Finalists and who pitched to win 25,000 and advance to the Finals. 

Spotlight on Ramona Emerson

“This is our first time pitching for Pow Wow Pitch,” said Ramona Emerson, Co-Founder of Reel Indian Pictures. “With these winnings, we would offer paid internships to young filmmakers in our local community to teach the ins and outs of documentary filmmaking and prepare them for a career in the film industry.”

Reel Indian Pictures is an Indigenous-owned and operated film and video production company with over 20 years of experience in the industry. With a focus on community engagement, Reel Indian Pictures works extensively with local grassroots organizations in New Mexico to raise awareness about social issues, and also contributes to educational initiatives by teaching filmmaking to Indigenous youth. 

To watch Ramona’s winning pitch, click here.

Spotlight on Sharon Marshall

“I pitched at the Kamloopa Pow Wow Pitch this Summer, and while I didn’t win, I was grateful for the experience,” said Sharon Marshall, Founder and CEO of Digital DEVA. “I chose to pitch this year because I wanted to hone my pitch for investors. Plus $25,000 would enable me to sponsor a cohort of Indigenous women into my program. Every cohort I can train provides the social proof I need to show the world that DEVA is viable and has the ability to impact so many women, their families, and their communities. ”

Digital DEVA is a full-service staffing agency providing temporary recruitment, as well as digital literacy and administrative training for Indigenous women. Founded by Sharon Marshall, Digital DEVA teaches and prepares Indigenous women seeking employment through self confidence, financial independence and skills training. Through Sharon’s programming, she has been able to support all graduates in gaining employment. 

To watch Sharon’s winning pitch, click here.

Spotlight on Ashley Michel

“I chose to pitch again this year because I want a better future for my daughter and the generations to come,” said Ashley Michel, Founder and CEO of 4 Generations Creations. “No obstacle is too big to overcome if you believe in yourself. I want the youth to see all of us succeed and realize that they could do that one day too.”

Ashley Michel is the artist and owner behind 4 Generations Creations, a market for authentic Indigenous fabrics, materials, and art. 4 Generations Creations aims to create designs that educate others about Indigenous issues & resiliency through apparel and art. Ashley has created a platform through a social media following to further share her message. Ashley shared in her pitch that she wishes to purchase her own direct to garner machine to bring her production in-house and in turn, open opportunities to hire a team from her community.

To watch Ashley’s winning pitch, click here. 

“Congratulations to Ramona, Sharon, and Ashley on moving forward to the 2023 Pow Wow Pitch Finals,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder of Pow Wow Pitch. “Recognition from Pow Wow Pitch Alumni is a huge accomplishment– to be recognized by your community for the good work you are doing, so much so that they invest in you and your dreams! We are all so proud of the impact your businesses are making and you have the community giving lift to your wings. Congratulations!”

“Pow Wow Pitch is a tremendous showcase of Indigenous innovation and entrepreneurship, and the stories and achievements of this year’s semi-finalists are a testament to their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Michael Ferencich, Senior Vice President, Business Financial Services, RBC. “We’re so proud of all our participants and semi-finalists, and we will continue to support their growth and success in the future.”

“Being involved in Pow Wow Pitch is not just an honour, it’s a privilege to witness the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Build Native Program Manager at Shopify. “It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of our communities and the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change. Shopify has played a proud role in supporting Pow Wow Pitch, so it is exciting to see how things have grown over the years. What an incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs!”

“At Mastercard, we’ve been inspired by the innovative thinking and solutions brought forward by all the Indigenous entrepreneurs involved in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard in Canada. “The future is brighter when Indigenous entrepreneurship is recognized, supported and celebrated, and we are honoured to play a role in continued success and growth of these entrepreneurs. Congratulations to all the pitchers and congratulations to Ramona, Sharon, and Ashley on advancing to the next round.”

Ramona, Sharon and Ashley will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Finals to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 19th. Visit www.powwowpitch.org/register to register to join.

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Nestled in Lantzville, British Columbia, Cree and Métis innovator Sharon Marshall, is shining a light on the endless possibilities digital literacy can unlock for Indigenous women with DEVA Training & Staffing Solutions, aka Digital DEVA.

Driven by startling statistics concerning unemployment among Indigenous women and her personal experiences, Sharon embarked on a mission: “Having fled domestic violence when my kids were little, and being able to keep my job because I worked remotely, I know the importance of financial independence and work-from-home employment for Indigenous women,” she shared.

Digital DEVA isn’t just another online training platform. It’s an initiative that promises mentorship and guaranteed job placements for its graduates. Sharon elaborated, “Mentorship is the cornerstone of this program. The DEVAs (Digital Executive Virtual Assistants) receive mentorship during the 20-week online program and through their practicums and job placement contracts.” The unique value proposition is evident, “I am the only online program in Canada that guarantees job placement upon practicum graduation.”

Currently, the venture is in its nascent stages, with a proof of concept established through 40 women who have completed the program and three DEVAs taking VA contracts. However, Sharon’s vision is grand. She sees this program expanding not just across Canada but internationally to countries like Mexico and Australia.

The profound impact of DEVA Training extends beyond just employment. “They gain self-confidence, self-worth, self-reliance, and self-determination. These soft skills ripple out to their families, and communities and showcase them as positive role models, which helps to heal the cycle of intergenerational trauma,” Sharon highlighted.

Sharon’s entrepreneurial journey is filled with pride and challenges alike. She beams with pride, mentioning, “I am most proud of the impact this program that I created has and can have on the women I support.” However, like all entrepreneurs, she acknowledges the hurdles, stating the most challenging aspect is “getting the word out and finding the funding to enable Indigenous women to take the program.”

Her decision to join Pow Wow Pitch was fueled by a desire to make a difference. She expressed, “I thought I had a chance at the grand prize, and $25,000 would enable me to sponsor five women to take the program.” The competition also accentuated the value of mentorship, a pillar in Sharon’s initiative. Her mentors, Robert Perron from RBC and Jim Flett from NACCA provided valuable insights into pitching and maintaining a positive demeanor.

Reflecting on Indigenous entrepreneurial ethos, Sharon emphasizes that profit isn’t the primary objective. “My program is infused with the Seven Sacred Teachings, and we only work with individuals and organizations who are on the path of truth and reconciliation,” she added.

The biggest lesson for Sharon? Resilience. “Life as an entrepreneur is very rewarding; however, it can be a roller coaster ride at times. I have learned how best to ride the waves,” she shared.

For Indigenous individuals aspiring to embark on their entrepreneurial journey, Sharon’s advice is simple yet profound: “Believe in yourself and your idea. Especially if it keeps you up at night, keep at it. Don’t let anyone tell you anything different. Surround yourself with positive people who have your back.”

Ending her narrative on a powerful note, Sharon emphasizes, “Indigenous women are the backbone of Indigenous communities. When Indigenous women thrive, we all thrive.”

In an era marked by digital transformation, Sharon Marshall is not just training Indigenous women to be digitally savvy; she is empowering them to rewrite their destinies.
Register to watch Sharon pitch at the Professional Services Online Watch Party on September 11, 2023, at 6 PM ET and vote for Sharon to win the 2023 People’s Choice Prize (#23) before September 17, 2023.

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